Wife of Petty Dies

Randleman, n.c. (ap) — Lynda Petty, the wife of NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, died Tuesday after battling cancer for several years. She was 72.

Petty Motorsports spokesman Jeff Dennison said in a statement that Petty was surrounded by her family when she died at her home in Level Cross. He said she had been fighting cancer for the past several years.

Lynda Petty helped start the Racing Wives Auxiliary, a benevolent fund for injured members of the NASCAR community. The group was formed by the wives of drivers, crews and sponsors.

“It was no secret that she was the cornerstone of the Petty family; a woman of humility and extraordinary strength,” said Austin Petty, Lynda and Richard’s grandson and chief operating officer of Victory Junction, a camp for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.

“While we mourn her death, we also celebrate her life and the profound impact she had on those who knew her,” Austin Petty said.

A private memorial service is scheduled for Reverie Place in Randleman. No date or time was given.